| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Moosilauke, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Gorge Brook Trail, abandoned Gorge Brook Trail, skid roads, herd path, bushwhacks |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 21, 2023 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
The road has been freshly compacted, and the summer lot is open at the ravine. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Stable), Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable) |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
After seeing East Branch at Lincoln spike 2.5' overnight.. I opted for something with bridges |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Unfortunately, this trail is starting to see the beginnings of erosion issues, especially after the last sure water sign to about 1/4 mile after the first steep. A crew has gone up a year or so ago and did some serious brushing, but they left all the coniferous branches in the middle of the trail bed. This is now leading to clogged waterbars with the dead nettles and branches and creating issues on the the trail. I spent over 2 hours clearing things up but its not even close to enough. Never seen this section in such poor shape. I am aware it rained heavily last night, but large sections of trail where bone dry |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
No issues |
|
 | Bugs: |
Wind kept them away |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
I found a wrapper I likely lost last year while bushwhacking, so I packed it out :P |
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|
 | Comments: |
A lovely day was had for my go to peak, I have lost count as to how many visits but easily over a score. Was nice to see the road in such great shape. I went up Gorge Brook proper, and then opted for the abandoned section due to it being far more scenic especially in high water. I had to duck off it and whack up to the current version of it at the major washout. No real issues. Patchy, avoidable monorail enters at about 3925, and becomes more prevalent and less avoidable to about 4200/4300, when the trail changes its direction and begins to see more sun. I bare booted to the summit, of which there where as usual no views and the normal wind. I dropped off the summit in a wind break and ate a burrito because that is an incredibly important detail - summit burritos <3. I put spikes on back at tree line and kept them on until the summit of East Peak (the big cairn.) I will say I was like a teal ballerina, doing tour j'ete's all the way to east, along the balance beam of a monorail. I was going to attempt a Simone Biles dismount at the end but I figured when I ultimately ended with a compound fracture of my femur, it would be hard to explain to F&G I was trying to do her mat routine. I kept spikes on, mostly unnecessary to just after the lookout. After this it got a little too peopley for me, so I opted to head down some old skid roads. Unfortunately, I ran into a Momma Moose and her calf, and I was not in a great spot terrain wise to attempt to avoid them in any other way then back the way I came, so I went up a hundred yards or so and took a compass bearing back to the trail. Ran into Good Dave on the way in and Bikehikecampgirl on the way out. Ended up with 2 sandwich bags full of fiddleheads, too :) |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2023-05-21 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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